Equity Meaning – Definition

In finance, equity refers to the value of an ownership interest in a company. It represents the residual value of a company’s assets after all liabilities have been paid. In other words, equity is the difference between a company’s assets and liabilities.

For a company, equity can come from a variety of sources, including the initial investment made by the company’s founders, investments made by angel investors or venture capitalists, and profits retained by the company.

For an individual, equity can refer to the value of an ownership interest in a company that they own shares of. This can include shares of stock in a publicly traded company or shares in a privately held company. The value of an individual’s equity in a company can fluctuate depending on the performance of the company and the overall stock market.

Equity can also refer to the value of an individual’s ownership interest in a property, such as a home. In this context, equity represents the difference between the value of the property and any outstanding mortgages or loans against the property.

It’s worth noting that equity represents a claim on a company’s assets and earnings, and not a guaranteed return on an investment. The value of equity can fluctuate based on a variety of factors, including the performance of the company and overall market conditions. Furthermore, equity holders are last in line to be compensated in case of a liquidation or bankruptcy of the company.

Equity can also be used as a way to raise capital for a company, through issuing shares of stock to the public or through private placement to institutional investors. This is known as equity financing and it allows a company to raise funds without incurring debt.